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The Hoard

Emily O'Toole

She/her

I created a ‘hoard’ of contemporary jewellery inspired by fossil coral, pebble shapes and stone patterns/textures. I incorporated sea glass – fragments of glass tumbled and frosted by the sea, changed into beautiful gems by nature – found on the Wicklow coast, as a sustainable alternative to gemstones. Through beach combing, I have discovered the enjoyment of finding hidden sea glass and fossil coral among the stones.

Hidden and submerged design elements are incorporated in the pieces, waiting to be discovered. My materials consist of sea glass, silver, brass and copper, and I used processes such as piercing, soldering, bezel setting and forming. Hand-drawn etching added a unique pattern of simplified fossil coral shapes. Sand casting and patinas added textures and colour that replicate the look of something aged and transformed by the sea.

Pebble reef

Pebble reef

Hoard coins

Hoard coins

Clustered fossil coral

Clustered fossil coral

Beachcomber's cuff

Beachcomber's cuff

Beachcomber's cuff

Beachcomber's cuff

Beachcomber's cuff

Beachcomber's cuff

Pebble reef

Pebble reef

Hoard coins

Hoard coins

Clustered fossil coral

Clustered fossil coral

Pebble reef

Pebble reef